Abstract: An improved type of rolling element bearing, in which race land regions are protected against wear or scoring, is described. In particular, it is shown that a coating of a hard, wear-resistant material such as titanium nitride, applied to the race land region of a rolling element bearing, is effective in preventing wear or scoring of the race land region.

Abstract: A rolling element bearing member designed for use in a preselected bearing operation, such as a gas turbine engine, which develops a predetermined operating hoop tensile stress in the member includes a hardened layer contiguous with a ductile core having a hardness less than 50 Rockwell C. For example, the hardened layer is a carburized layer of high hardness in the range of 58-66 Rockwell C. The hardened layer has improved resistance to crack initiation and propagation as a result of providing the layer with compressive residual stress in an amount greater than the predetermined operating hoop tensile stress, for example in the range of about 10-60 ksi to a depth up to about 0.06 inch. Such a member is made by providing a member of a metal alloy having the capability of developing such a hardened layer, and then processing the member to develop the layer in the amount of compression.